Core Insights - The number of securities analysts in China has surpassed 6,000, marking a historical high, which reflects the development of the market and the industry [1][2] - The rapid growth of analysts has raised concerns about the sustainability of such a large workforce, especially in light of the upcoming changes in public fund fee structures [2][3] - The need to enhance research and development capabilities among analysts is emphasized, as the industry faces challenges from market changes and increased competition [3] Analyst Growth - The number of analysts has doubled in less than a decade, from over 3,000 in 2018 to 6,162 by September 16, 2025 [1] - Major firms like CITIC Securities, Guotai Junan, and CICC have more than 300 analysts, while many others have fewer than the average [1] Analyst Recruitment and Retention - Analysts are sourced mainly through internal training and external recruitment, with high personnel mobility being a characteristic of the industry [2] - The upcoming public fund fee reform is expected to significantly reduce trading commissions, impacting the revenue of brokerage firms [2] Industry Consolidation - The brokerage industry has seen a wave of mergers and acquisitions, with firms like CITIC Securities expanding their influence through strategic consolidations [3] - The lack of top-tier analysts in the domestic market is noted, with a call for investment in talent development to create industry leaders akin to the "Axes" of Wall Street [3]

Core Insights - The number of securities analysts in China has reached a historical high, surpassing 6,000, with significant growth observed in recent years [2][3] - Despite the increase in analysts, the market environment is challenging, with a decline in commission income due to public fund fee reforms, necessitating a transformation in brokerage research departments [8] Analyst Growth - As of September 19, 2023, there are 6,162 analysts, with over 400 new additions this year [3] - The analyst count has shown rapid expansion, crossing 3,000 in 2018 and 4,000 in 2022, with projections indicating over 5,000 by 2024 [3] - The growth is attributed to the expansion of institutional investors and a significant talent gap in brokerage research, leading to large-scale recruitment, especially from recent graduates [3][5] Structural Changes in Recruitment - Large brokerages primarily focus on internal growth, while smaller firms are combining internal development with external recruitment [5] - Among firms with over 150 analysts, notable growth is seen in companies like CITIC Securities and Industrial Securities, with a majority of new analysts being internally trained [5][6] - Smaller firms like Guojin Securities and Dongfang Fortune Securities have also seen significant external recruitment, with many analysts transferring from other brokerages [6][7] Revenue Challenges and Strategic Shifts - The brokerage research environment is under pressure, with commission income dropping over 30% in the first half of 2023, highlighting the need for diversification in revenue sources [8] - Brokerages are exploring new profit growth points, including collaborations with local governments and expanding international and fintech operations [8] - Some firms are shifting towards comprehensive research models, balancing external revenue generation with internal services [8] Trends in Analyst Employment - The pace of recruitment among top brokerages has slowed, with firms like CICC and CITIC Securities showing minimal growth in analyst numbers this year compared to previous years [9] - A trend of experienced analysts moving to buy-side institutions or other sectors is emerging, indicating a rebalancing of talent within the industry [9]

Core Insights - The number of securities analysts in China has surpassed 6,000, reaching a historical high of 6,162 as of September 19, 2023, indicating rapid expansion in the analyst workforce [2][4][10] - The growth in analyst numbers is driven by the increasing demand from institutional investors and the need for talent in the face of regulatory changes affecting commission income [4][10] - Despite the increase in analyst numbers, the industry is facing significant revenue challenges due to a more than 30% decline in commission income from the public fund sector [2][10] Analyst Growth - The analyst workforce has seen a rapid increase, with the number surpassing 3,000 in 2018 and crossing 4,000 in 2022, now exceeding 6,000 in less than two years [4] - Major firms like CITIC Securities and CICC lead in analyst numbers, with CICC having 344 analysts and CITIC Securities surpassing 300 [4][5] - The growth is characterized by a mix of internal promotions and external hiring, particularly among smaller firms seeking to enhance their research capabilities [6][8] Structural Changes in Hiring - Large firms primarily rely on internal growth for expanding their analyst teams, while smaller firms are increasingly hiring externally to fill gaps [6][8] - For instance, CITIC Securities registered 62 new analysts this year, with 59 being internal promotions, while smaller firms like Guojin Securities have seen significant external hiring [6][8] Industry Challenges and Transformation - The research environment is changing, with a notable decline in income from commission-based models, prompting firms to seek new revenue streams [10] - Firms are focusing on diversifying their income sources, including expanding into non-public fund clients and exploring international business opportunities [10] - Some leading firms have slowed their hiring pace, with CICC reporting a decrease in analyst numbers this year, indicating a potential shift in strategy [11]

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the non-bank financial sector [1]. Core Insights - The public fund fee reform's third phase has commenced, and listed insurance companies continue to increase their allocation to OCI stocks [1]. - The non-bank financial sector has shown a decline of 5.05% recently, underperforming the CSI 300 index, which fell by 0.81% [10]. - The insurance sector's net profit has generally increased, with a notable growth in new business value (NBV) for life insurance [24][25]. - The securities sector has experienced a significant increase in trading volume, with a year-on-year rise of 223.25% in daily average stock trading value [16]. - The multi-financial sector is transitioning into a stable growth phase, with trust assets continuing to grow despite a decline in profits [35]. Summary by Sections Non-Bank Financial Sector Performance - All sub-sectors of non-bank financials underperformed the CSI 300 index in the recent five trading days, with declines of 4.07% in insurance, 5.29% in securities, and 6.32% in multi-financials [10][12]. Securities Sector - Trading volume has significantly increased, with a daily average stock trading value of CNY 29,496 billion as of September 5, 2025, marking a 223.25% increase year-on-year [16]. - The margin balance reached CNY 22,795 billion, up 63.74% year-on-year [16]. - The average price-to-book (PB) ratio for the securities industry is projected at 1.3x for 2025 [22]. Insurance Sector - Listed insurance companies reported a total net profit of CNY 1,782 billion for the first half of 2025, reflecting a 3.7% year-on-year increase [24]. - The NBV for life insurance has shown substantial growth, with increases of 20% to 72% across major companies [25]. - The insurance sector's valuation is currently between 0.62-0.93 times the expected P/EV for 2025, indicating a historical low [34]. Multi-Financial Sector - The trust industry saw its asset scale reach CNY 29.56 trillion by the end of 2024, a 23.58% increase year-on-year, despite a 45.5% drop in total profits [35]. - The futures market experienced a trading volume of 10.59 billion contracts in July 2025, with a transaction value of CNY 71.31 trillion, representing year-on-year growth of 48.89% and 36.03%, respectively [41]. Industry Ranking and Recommendations - The report ranks the sectors as follows: Insurance > Securities > Other Multi-Financials, with key recommendations including China Ping An, New China Life, China Pacific Insurance, CITIC Securities, Tonghuashun, and Jiufang Zhitu Holdings [51].